This beautifully written dual timeline histfic tale focuses on the true story of librarian Jessie Carson, who went to WWI torn France to establish children's libraries ... and disappeared afterward. Unforgettable!

This was a fascinating story about the CARDS during WWI. I had never heard of Jessie Carson and can't wait to learn more about her. I enjoyed the dual timeline of 1918 and more present day. Another thing I enjoyed about Kit is that she had her "minds library". There were so many characters that I enjoyed in this story!



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

This was a heartwarming (and at times, heartbreaking) historical fiction that followed Jessie Carson, a New York Public Library librarian who went to France during WW1 to establish children's libraries in the war torn country. Told in dual timeline as Wendy, another NYPL librarian, learns about the CARDS and Jessie in 1987. Wendy wants to unravel the mystery. This book is about the power of books and is a beautiful story. This ARC was provided by Atria Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A transformative, historically based story of the human spirit that comes from a fresh and fascinating perspective.

CW: sexual assault, dismemberment, war

In 1918, children's librarian Jessie Carson goes to France to help the CARDs, a group of wealthy women volunteers, rebuild during World War I. Unlike her colleagues, she is being paid to be there, and is tasked with rebuilding a library. In 1987, Wendy Petersen comes across Jessie Carson as she is archiving information at the NYPL. Carson seems to have disappeared after her stint in France. Can Wendy figure out where Jessie went?

I love books about libraries and books. The fact that this book is actually based off of real people is amazing. The author also included the pictures of some of the characters which really brings it to life. This book celebrates the contributions that these women made when they are usually swept under the rug. I loved Jessie so much, and I will be thinking of these brave women for a long time to come.